'It was a pleasure knowing and racing you': Formula one fraternity mourns Jules Bianchi

Nine months after the dreadful crash at Suzuka in the Japanese Grand Prix, French driver Jules Bianchi lost his battle to the head injuries he sustained that day. The 25-year-old Bianchi was considered a bright prospect and was even linked with an eventual move to Ferrari, but his death has left the Formula One fraternity in shock. [caption id=“attachment_1744073” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Jules Bianchi. Reuters[/caption] The Frenchman suffered severe head injuries when, in wet conditions and fading light, his Marussia slammed into a recovery tractor while it was attempting to remove Adrian Sutil’s crashed Sauber. The race was stopped and the unconscious driver was extracted from the wrecked car and taken by road ambulance to the nearby hospital. Bianchi had been in a coma since the accident at Suzuka last October. He passed away at a hospital in Nice, near his parents’ home in the south of France. Bianchi is the first driver to die of injuries sustained in an F1 race since three-time world champion Ayrton Senna was killed at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. No one deserves to die doing what they love for a living and Bianchi’s passing is a reminder that races may be won and lost on the track, but it all pales into insignificance when it comes to the matter of life and death. Tributes have been pouring in since Bianchi’s family posted a statement from his official Twitter account confirming his passing.

Our thoughts are with Jules Bianchi's family and friends #RIPJules #JB17 pic.twitter.com/4Zot1XkxEF

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 18, 2015

Bianchi’s teammate at the time of incident, Max Chilton, posting perhaps the moving tribute for the Frenchman.

No words can describe what his family & the sport have lost. All I can say it was a pleasure knowing & racing you.
x pic.twitter.com/NVcfbV9qdR

— M A X Chilton (@maxchilton) July 18, 2015

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Other top F1 drivers have joined in expressing their condolences to Bianchi and his family.

Yesterday we lost one of the best guys and best drivers I've ever met. I'll miss you so much my friend... #RIPJules pic.twitter.com/QYr5F9QOXS

— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) July 18, 2015

Woke up to these very sad news.. RIP Jules. You will be never forgotten. My thoughts are with the family pic.twitter.com/79yv2DrDFa

— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) July 18, 2015

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Last night we lost a truly great guy and a real fighter #RIPJules my sincerest Condolences to his family and friends.

— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) July 18, 2015

Today we have lost an amazing talent and person... Words can't describe our feelings right now. We will all miss you Jules.. #RIPJules

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 18, 2015

The Formula One teams posted their messages for Bianchi, with Team Manor (erstwhile Marussia Racing, which was Bianchi’s team at the time of the accident) leading the way.

We are devastated to lose Jules after such a hard-fought battle. It was a privilege to have him race for our team. https://t.co/USrDQbG7fZ

— Manor Racing (@ManorRacing) July 18, 2015

#CiaoJules per sempre nei cuori Ferrari #CiaoJules forever in Ferrari's hearts pic.twitter.com/twifl5PXtl

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 18, 2015

What terrible news this morning. Our deepest condolences to Jules' family and friends. Rest in peace Jules, you will be greatly missed!

— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) July 18, 2015

India’s flagbearer in the Formula One community posted his message as well.

Really Sad news #RIP Jules Bianchi .

— Narain Karthikeyan (@narainracing) July 18, 2015

Rest in peace, Jules. (With Reuters inputs)